Nike Local Creation GC is one of Nike’s fastest-moving product engines, enabling designers to connect with geo-specific consumers quickly and effectively. As part of the Local Creation Design organization, this role focuses on creating inspiring products tailored to specific marketplaces and geographic audiences, capturing fast-moving trends and delivering regionally relevant narratives with flexibility and speed.
We seek a candidate who embodies authenticity, accountability, collaboration, and courage—someone eager to grow, challenge themselves, and work independently as a self-driven contributor.
Who We Are Looking For
We’re looking for a Lead Apparel Designer, Outerwear, Local Creation GC to join our dynamic, fast-paced design team. Based in Shanghai, China, this individual will work closely with cross-functional partners across Design, Product Management, Development, Merchandising, and Marketing.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned creative leader with broad apparel industry experience and deep expertise in designing and executing outerwear products for the Nike brand. They will create apparel products across Greater China consumer, sport, and lifestyle opportunities and lead the execution of multiple categories through a hyper-local lens.
Who You’ll Work With
This is an individual contributor role reporting to the Senior Manager, Apparel Design, Local Creation GC. You’ll collaborate with:
- Greater China Apparel and Footwear Design teammates across categories
- Greater China Product Management and Development teams
- Greater China Merchandising and Marketing partners
- Global Design counterparts and Nike Creative stakeholders
- External vendors and suppliers
What You Bring
- A BA, BFA, MA, or MFA in Apparel Design or a related field is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
- Seven years of professional apparel design experience in the apparel or sporting goods industry, with extensive expertise in outerwear materials, functionality, construction, and fit.
- Experience designing and executing lifestyle and performance apparel.
- Comprehensive understanding of apparel materials, construction, fit, tech packs, and schematic development.
- Strong collection-building, storytelling, presentation, communication, teamwork, leadership, decision-making, and strategic thinking skills.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, 3D/AI rendering software, and Miro.
What You’ll Work On
- Create apparel products aligned with global creative direction, seasonal concepts, gender strategies, franchise journeys, and geo assortments while connecting with Greater China consumers.
- Work with Product Management and Development to establish and manage seasonal new-creation toolboxes based on consumer insights, design direction, product intent, and margin targets.
- Lead pre-development and innovation exploration in outerwear.
- Bring seasonal creative direction to life through market-relevant trends and insights across color, material functionality, Greater China-specific fit and proportion, and coordinated key looks and outfits.
- Monitor prototype and sample development, conduct fittings, finalize production details, and ensure execution excellence.
- Present concepts to internal teams, leadership, and external partners, explaining the rationale behind design decisions.
- Manage design deliverables and project timelines, resolve feasibility issues, and ensure timely project completion.
- Maintain a strong connection to city culture, emerging trends, and Nike’s design ethos.
About Nike
Nike offers a generous total rewards package, a casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional development. Nike is committed to employing a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunity employer.